Animal Genetics is proud to offer a comprehensive array of equine genetic tests. Our services include coat color and pattern testing, genetic disorder testing, and DNA profiling and parentage verification. These tests are widely used by breeders and horse enthusiasts alike to confirm a horse’s genotype as well as predetermine the possible genetic makeup of the offspring. Genetic testing is extremely accurate and reliable.

The coat color of every horse is built on one of two base colors: black or red. The Extension gene controls the production of black pigment (eumelanin) or red pigment (phaeomelanin). Genetic testing will determine whether the horse is black based (E/e or E/E) or red based (e/e). A horse with two black alleles (E/E) will never produce a red offspring.

The Agouti gene controls the distribution of black pigment. Genetic testing is useful for breeders interested in producing or avoiding bay or brown based horses.

The Champagne Dilution gene mutation is responsible for the dilution of black horses to Classic Champagne, bays to Amber Champagne and chestnuts or sorrels to Gold Champagne.

Cream Dilution is responsible for the dilution of Chestnut horses to Palomino and Cremello, Bay horses to Buckskin and Perlino and Black horses to Smoky Black and Smoky Cream.

Pearl dilution is a recently identified and rare color gene that is thought to have originated in horses of Spanish descent. In the American Quarter and American Paint horses, Pearl dilution is regularly referred to as the 'Barlink Factor.' Although the gene is distinct, the effect of Pearl dilution is similar to that of the cream and champagne dilutions.

The Silver Dilution gene mutation is responsible for the Silver Dapple (Silver Black) and Silver Bay coat colors. With some breeds, Silver Dapple may be referred to as chocolate or taffy. When present, black-based horses will usually have a chocolate or silver body with flaxen mane and tail. Bay-based horses will have a lightened body and lightened lower legs and a flaxen mane and tail. Red-based horses are not altered.

Gray is a modifier that causes the progressive depigmentation of the horses hair. Horses born with this modifier are usually born with normal coat coloring but gradually loose pigmentation and can become mostly white in 6-8 years. The vast majority of white horses are in fact horses that have fully grayed out.

The Appaloosa coat pattern includes several variations of spotting patterns collectively known as the leopard complex. The Appaloosa LP gene acts as a master gene and all horses with Appaloosa characteristics have at least one copy of this gene. Other characteristics of LP are vertically striped hooves, white sclera of the eye, and mottled skin around the eyes, lips, and genitalia.

Genetic testing useful for breeders interested in the frame overo pattern but wanting to avoid possible production of lethal foals associated with homozygous positive LWO horses.

Sabino1 is a gene mutation that has been determined to be the cause of a Sabino coat pattern found in a number of breeds of horses such as Tennessee Walking Horses, American Paint Horses, American Miniature Horses, Missouri Foxtrotters and several other breeds. The Sabino1 gene does not account for all sabino-like patterns.

Tobiano is the most common type of pinto pattern. The pattern usually involves some white on all four legs and rounded white spots on the body with sharp, clean edges. The Tobiano gene is dominant meaning only one copy of the gene is needed for the coat pattern to occur. Horses homozygous for Tobiano (T/T or TO/TO) will always produce Tobiano offspring.

Cerebellar abiotrophy (CA) is a recessive genetic neurological disease affecting Arabian horses.

Congenital Stationary Night Blindness (CSNB) is a condition that affects Appaloosa horses and causes impaired night or low light vision making it difficult or even impossible to see in relatively low light. Research has now shown that CSNB in Appaloosas is a recessive disorder that is directly linked to the LP gene. Appaloosas with two copies of the LP gene (LP/LP) will be affected by CSNB.

Hereditary Equine Regional Dermal Asthenia (HERDA) also known as Hyperelastosis Cutis (HC) is a genetic skin disease predominately found in the American Quarter Horse. A symptom of this disorder is a lack of adhesion within the layers of skin due to a genetic defect in the collagen that holds the skin in place. This defect causes the outer layer of skin to split or separate from the deeper layers sometimes tearing off completely. The disorder is recessive, which means that a horse must inherit two copies of the defective gene to suffer from the disease.

Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP) is a genetic muscular disease that can be found in American Quarter Horses and related breeds particularly those who are descendants of the sire, Impressive. Symptoms of HYPP may include muscle twitching and unpredictable paralysis attacks which can lead to sudden death.

Glycogen Branching Enzyme Deficiency (GBED) is a genetic disease seen in Quarter Horses and related breeds and will result in death of the foal. The foals are unable to store sugar molecules because the disorder prevents the production of an enzyme that is necessary for glycogen storage. This disease is fatal as the brain, heart, skeletal muscles and other organs are unable to function.

Junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) or red foot disease is an inherited genetic disorder that will cause moderate to sloughing of hooves and severe blistering of the skin in newborn foals. Currently, two separate genetic mutations have been located that cause this disorder: JEB1 in Belgian Draft horses and related Draft breeds and JEB2 in the American Saddlebred breed. Animal Genetics can test for either of the two mutations.

Genetic testing useful for breeders interested in the frame overo pattern but wanting to avoid possible production of lethal foals associated with homozygous positive LWO horses. Also referred to as Lethal White Syndrome (LWS) and Overo Lethal White Syndrome (OLWS).

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a potentially fatal dominant genetic disease. Episodes can be triggered by exposure to certain drugs used for general anesthesia such as halothane and isoflurane. In Quarter Horses, MH has been linked to a mutation in the ryanodine receptor 1 (RYR1). Less than 1% of Quarter Horses are affected, and those that are seem to trace to two specific bloodlines.